THE THEATRES REGENT

Southland Times, Issue 24338, 20 January 1941, Page 7

THE THEATRES

REGENT

“I TAKE THIS WOMAN” an absorbing drama A story which conveys a message of idealism not out of place in modern life, a compelling performance by Spencer Tracy, one of the screens foremost players, and a remarkably ? atura J portrayal by Hedy Lamarr tn the feminine lead make I Take Tins Woman,” the current attraction at the Regent Theatre, an absorbing motion picture which must appeal to even the most critical audience. The piob- . lem dealt with in the production is that facing a young doctor! who leaves a small, but useful, practice for fashionable c ai latanism, where money pioves a pool substitute for those things which arc inevitably lost. Spencer Tracy has contributed many outstanding pertormances during his screen career, but sc - dom has he conveyed so intensely and sympathetically the personality of any i character as in his portrayal oi the young doctor working at an East Side 1 clinic in New York. Directed by W. b. Van Dyke, of “The Thin Man” fame, the film unfolds the story of a society woman's broken romance with a mairied man and her subsequent regenei ation when she is captured by Tracy s idealism. In seeking to provide his new wife with the glitter and excitement which night club society had given her in the past, Tracy is led into a fashionable practice, but efforts to inveigle him from his ideals fail and he finally returns to the humbler existence among the East Side people where he has endeared himself to all. How Tracy narrowly averts a hospital scandal after a disaster caused by the folly of others is told in a dramatic climax. The story is a strong one and the interest is well maintained throughout. As the married man who causes Miss Laman- so much unhappiness before her regeneration with Tracy,

Kent Taylor is very good. Prominent in a wise-cracking role is Veree Teasdale, who is responsible for much of the comedy of the film. The supporting cast is a strong one and includes such favourites as Laraine Day, Mona Barrie, Jack Carson, Paul Cavanagh, Louis Calhern, Frances Drake, Marjorie Main, George E. Stone, Willie Best, Don Castle, Dalies Frantz and Reed Hadley. There is an entertaining supporting programme. STATE “CHARLEY’S (BIG-HEARTED) AUNT” “Charley’s (Big-hearted) Aunt,” which screens today at 2.0 and 8.0 at the State Theatre, is a grand slapstick farce. Arthur Askey puts over a commendable performance; his resource is I unbounded, and his ability to put over 1 a female impersonation is side-splitting. Richard Murdoch is, of course, Stinker; Graham Moffatt is Albert; and Moore Marriott is Jerry; and all three give the star tireless support. J. H. Roberts and Felix Aylmer are dean and proctor respectively, and each acts with a. seriousness that gives excellent contrast to the fooling. Wally Patch, Phyllis Calvert, Jeanne de Casalis and Elliot Mason are others who thoroughly enter into the spirit of the play. There is very little connection between this farce and the original “Charley’s Aunt,” but the new version more than competes with the old. Cheerful exuberance is the secret of the entertainment’s success. It gives new zest to evergreen gags—particularly those turning on female impersonation. There are also many brilliant new gags, local and topical. In a word, this film is a comedy masterpiece. Gone are the corkscrew curls and bonnets of previous Charley’s Aunts. Arthur Askey glamorizes the character by a streamlined figure, off-the-face coiffure, natty little toque, and indulges in cocktailing. London’s leading corsetier was engaged to make Askey his corsets. Beforehand, Arthur had jokingly quibbled about the matter, but the producer, Edward Black, was adamant, and the inevitable fittings had to be proceeded with. After the corset expert had all but fought for about 15 minutes with stay bones and laces, she stopped, and with some pride surveyed the result of her labours, while Arthur felt as comfortable as a fly on a fly paper. Excellent supports accompany “Charley’s (Big-Hearted) Aunt” at the State today. Box plans are at Begg’s or the State. One of the most amazing war films produced screens at the State and Civic finally tonight. This sensational film from the Libyan battlefront shows the overwhelming victory of the Imperial Army of the Nile as the Navy, Army and Air Force batter the Libyan forts, the thousands of prisoners and casualties and the tons of war material seized.

CIVIC “THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles,” one of literature’s most shocking, spine-chill-ing mystery stories and the greatest of all of Sherlock Holmes’s astounding adventures, is the Civic’s first feature finally tonight at 7.45. Tall, spare, hawklike Basil Rathbone, in the perfect-fit-ting role of the great detective, is cofeatured with Richard Greene and Wendy Barrie. In this great story the master of a thousand mysteries pits his cunning against the giant unearthly beast that roams the fog-shrouded English moor with blazing eyes and bared fangs, terrorizing the countryside, striking norror into the hearts of two young lovers and leaving a trail so terrifying that only Sherlock Holmes dare follow. Nigel Bruce plays the famous Dr Watson, the great detective’s constant companion. Also included in the cast are Lionel Atwill, John Carradine, Barlowe Borland, Beryl Mercer, Morton Lowry and Ralph Forbes. Sandy Powell, the lovable comedian of radio, music-hall and movie fame, is starred in the comedy riot ‘T’ve Got a Horse,” the Civic’s second feature. The picture has everything that could be desired in hilarious entertainment. - Never before has Sandy had such amusing film adventures. As a bookmaker who takes over a horse for a betting debt, and much to his surprise finds that the animal is a pedigree Derby winner, Sandy has ample opportunities for his unique brand of fooling. Hindered by his own innocence in i training racehorses, and beset by a gang of ruthless men who are determinded to take the animal from him, Sandy nevertheless blunders his way through to a happy climax. Others in the cast are Norah Howard, Felix : Aylmer and Evelyn Roberts. Popular i Civic prices tonight are 1/- and 1/6, 1 and children half-price. A spec- ■ ial film showing the rout of the ■ltalians at Sidi Barrani will also be screened. Box plans are at Begg’s or the Civic. MAJESTIC Picture-goers will doubtlessly recall the thrills of a picture produced several years ago called “Doctor X.” It dealt with the infamous exploits of Dr Maurice Xavier, who eventually met his deserving fate in the electric chair. Since then mystery fans have been demanding a sequel to this very famous picture and Warner Bros, will present this in the form of “The Return of Doctor X” at the Majestic Theatre today for its final screenings. Humphrey Bogart is the villainous Dr X. The sleuthing efforts of a young newspaper reporter (Wayne Morris) and his young doctor friend (Dennis Morgan) in tracking down the mysterious murderer of several victims, all of whom were listed as blood donors at a city hospital, lead eventually to him. Tile associate feature which will conclude today at the Majestic, “The Last Alarm,” stars J. Farrell MacDonald, Polly Ann Young and Warren Hull. Chapter 4 of Sax Rohmer’s oriental mystery serial, “The Drums of Fu Manchu,” entitled “The Pendulum of Doom” will also be presented. This week’s Cinesound News will show the victorious British advancing into Libya and the fall of Sidi Barrani; also Mr Churchill inspecting with Brigadier J. HargesL New Zealanders at their camp in England. Plans are now on view at H. and J. Smith’s, Rice’s Majestic sweet shop and the Majestic Theatre.